Is this too stiff for a general purpose moving bait rod? For now I I have an ancient Fenwick HMG 5'6" 4 Power rod holding up this duty and it really is too flexible.

Depends on the bait. I have rods rated up to XXH I use with moving baits. My Avid AVC70MHM is great for baits 1/2 to 1 oz.

Moderate action means it has flex to it which is what you want with moving baits.

Extra fast would be too stiff.

I use a moderate for all my cranks. Medium as well for all but deep divers i up to mh. I do prefer a mod-fast or fast for wirebaits like spin, buzz, and chatterbaits though.

Actually, the power refers to the stiffness of the blank, whereas the taper or action refers to how much of the blank flexes. A moderate rod will flex deeper than a fast rod with the same power rating with same amount of force applied.

Is this too stiff for a general purpose moving bait rod? For now I I have an ancient Fenwick HMG 5'6" 4 Power rod holding up this duty and it really is too flexible.

 

I actually played around with that same rod today.  My father-in-law has about 12-16 fenwicks from the 70's and If I had to put a current power rating on it I would say its equal to a ML spinning rod.  it would be good for small worms or lightweight tackle but the current med-hvy rods are much more powerful, but like others have said it depends on the weight of the bait.  I use an Abu garcia Veritas Med-Moderate rod for cranking and even though its rated for 1/4 to 3/4 it feels overloaded with 5/8oz deep divers.

Is this too stiff for a general purpose moving bait rod? .

NO.

I actually played around with that same rod today. My father-in-law has about 12-16 fenwicks from the 70's and If I had to put a current power rating on it I would say its equal to a ML spinning rod. it would be good for small worms or lightweight tackle but the current med-hvy rods are much more powerful, but like others have said it depends on the weight of the bait. I use an Abu garcia Veritas Med-Moderate rod for cranking and even though its rated for 1/4 to 3/4 it feels overloaded with 5/8oz deep divers.

Yes that's ecactly what we used It for. Very light line with a jig n pig. I tried a modern day spinner bait on it and it was like catching a fish.

In the mean time I just bought a rod yhT o is moderTe with an extra fast tip and it is way to stuff for the smallish kinds of moving baits used in most ponds.

OK, what type of reel do you use and line test?

The rod you listed could be a pistol grip bait caster and be the right power, just short by today's standards.

Spinning rod would be too flexible for most bass lures.

Tom

OK, what type of reel do you use and line test?

The rod you listed could be a pistol grip bait caster and be the right power, just short by today's standards.

Spinning rod would be too flexible for most bass lures.

Tom

It is a pistol grip casting rod and the older Fenwick used a different system to numer the power. My father-in-law uses a 5 power for spinnerbaits, a 6 power for jigs and thicker cover and a 7 power for bit baits and pike.